Came back to Apple/iPhone after 10ish years. Finally recover my account, now unable to recover/sync my iCloud as I don’t recall the passcode for my 6S. I keep getting the prompt to continue syncing. Is there anything I can do here??
[Edited by Moderator]
iPhone 17 Pro, iOS 26
If you don’t remember your old iPhone 6s passcode, you cannot access old encrypted iCloud data (like backups, old messages, keychain, etc.), because Apple can’t decrypt it without that passcode.
However, you can still use your Apple ID normally and recover any old iCloud data that isn’t tied to the encrypted backup (such as contacts, notes, email, and possibly photos).
Choosing “Reset Encrypted Data” lets you continue using iCloud without the old data.
If you don’t remember your old iPhone 6s passcode, you cannot access old encrypted iCloud data (like backups, old messages, keychain, etc.), because Apple can’t decrypt it without that passcode.
However, you can still use your Apple ID normally and recover any old iCloud data that isn’t tied to the encrypted backup (such as contacts, notes, email, and possibly photos).
Choosing “Reset Encrypted Data” lets you continue using iCloud without the old data.
WittieKittie wrote:
There’s no other solution except restoring my new device to factory settings?
It’s worse than that. If you cannot account for how Advanced Data Protection got turned on, restoring the device to factory settings won’t resolve the issue. The data is still end-to-end encrypted, so the problem remains.
Likely during the past ten years then, some other device was used to access your account and turn this setting on. We need that information.
If you cannot supply it, consider this course of action:
How to delete your Apple Account - Apple Support
Then start with a new Apple Account:
How to create a new Apple Account - Apple Support
Then restore to factory settings and set up your iPhone as new as described above.
WittieKittie wrote:
It means when I went to my settings, it was already set to ‘off’
Well then we need some explanation of how Advanced Data Protection (end-to-end encryption) got turned on. That is not the default. Some overt action turned it on.
It is not a setting I played with so I don’t know. I’m trying to provide what I know, and it isn’t turned on as of when I went into the screen to check. It is currently off and I have not touched it. The phone was brand new out of the box and set up with assistance from the carrier.
How and where do I do that? It’s not giving me any option for that
Yeah, I returned to apple with a new model iPhone with my most recent prior to this being the 6S. My new device will not let me access syncing unless I enter my 6S passcodes.
I don’t care to download a previous back up, just want to start syncing again. Do I need to redo my set up again/reset to factory still?
it also was already turned off 😅
It means when I went to my settings, it was already set to ‘off’
There’s no other solution except restoring my new device to factory settings? Really trying to avoid that
You have made what seem to me to be conflicting statements:
Indeed an iPhone 6S cannot access end-to-end encrypted data. The reason? This concept was introduced with iOS 16.2!
So since you have end-to-end encrypted data, you clearly must have used some newer device with your Apple Account than the iPhone 6S.
So apparently you turned on Advanced Data Protection before syncing. Turn it off as described here.
How to turn on Advanced Data Protection for iCloud - Apple Support
Then start your setup process over:
Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings using a computer - Apple Support
Set up your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
WittieKittie wrote:
I don’t care to download a previous back up
Good. In step 3 of the “Set up your iPhone or iPad” article, choose “Set Up Without Another Device.”
It sounds like you need to restore to factory settings to remove the end-to-end encryption lingering memories.
WittieKittie wrote:
it also was already turned off 😅
I assume this means you had turned it on on your new device and subsequently turned it off. Otherwise the problem will not be solved this way.
iCloud access after 10 years?
